My Top 3 Getaway Ideas for Michigan Residents

Want to get away? Looking for a little change of scenery? Maybe you're thinking about getting away, even if only for a day or two, to enjoy a break from the daily grind. If you have the money, you might jet off to some exotic locale and spend your vacation relaxing in the sun.

However, if you're like me and don't have a lot of money to throw around, you'll probably be driving somewhere. With that in mind, I am going to give you my top three weekend getaways for somebody in the Michigan area looking for a good value.

3) $199 King's Island Getaway. King's Island is an amusement park near Cincinnati, Ohio that is a bit milder in feel than Ohio's other big park, Cedar Point. While Cedar Point is known for its extreme roller coasters, King's Island is a more suitable place to bring a family.

The park has rides and roller coasters, of course, with the most exciting being The Beast and The Diamondback. However, what I like most about Cedar Point is the calmer rides. There are plenty of family attractions, like bumper cars, a carousel, and even a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower that you can ride to the top of.

There are plenty of places to eat good food at too, including the Krusty Krab Snack Shack(sorry, no Krabby Patties), Chick-Fil-A(which are not available in Michigan), and even Skyline Chili for those that like chocolate in their chili.

The getaway package includes four tickets to King's Island and a one-night stay at the King's Island Resort Center. The resort is an excellent place for a family as it has indoor and outdoor pools and free shuttle service to the park. If you want to take advantage of this deal you need to book on the weekends between April 17^th and May 23^rd or between June 18^th and 26^th. For full details, click here.

2) The Festival Inn Escape 2010. The city of Stratford, Ontario is known for its theater productions that they put on every summer. While you will find plenty of Shakespeare being performed, there are also musicals and modern comedies and dramas as well. This year's offerings include The Tempest(starring Christopher Plummer as Prospero), Evita, and Peter Pan.

The Festival Inn Escape 2010 includes a drama production, and a one-night stay at the Festival Inn. The Festival Inn has an indoor pool and offers you a continental breakfast. If you go before May 31^st, it will cost $165 per person(US). If you go in the summer, it will run you $199 per person(US). Click here to learn more.

Once you have finished watching the play, you can explore the city of Stratford. It is a picturesque town with a river running through it(like Stratford-on-Avon, where Shakespeare lived). The restaurants there are definitely not to be missed. The most impressive one has to be The Church restaurant which, as its name implies, was built in an actual church. It is very expensive, but something you might want to try if you have the money. Less expensive options are also available.

1) Shedd Aquarium Package at the Swissotel Chicago. Chicago is known for many things: Pizza, shopping, sports, and wind. However, Chicago also boasts one of the coolest aquariums in the Midwest.

The Shedd Aquarium has over 32,500 different creatures on display (link) and several different areas that show aquatic life from different parts of the world. You can just wander the aquarium or go on one of the tours, which include narrated dives and behind-the-scenes tours.

The Shedd Aquarium Package includes two VIP tickets to the aquarium, free breakfast buffet at the hotel, and no charge for using the hotel's fitness area and pool. There are a few different room options available with this package ranging from around $250 per person per night to $385, depending on what time of the year you go.

The hotel is situated right on Lake Michigan, so be sure to ask the hotel booking agent for a room with a lake view. For full details, click here.

Get away! You deserve it! These packages offer fun and interesting escapes that will help you relax and renew yourself before you have to return home.